BlueAnt Pump retail package

Music can be motivating and I enjoy the escape when I am out running. Thanks to the new BlueAnt Pump headphones I was able to finish my half marathon training program with classic rock providing active beats to keep me pumping my legs.

I have been using the JayBird BlueBudsX, but they often slipped out of my ears when I ran and I ended up getting frustrated having to push them back in over and over. They are lightweight and sound great, but for some reason my ear form and heavy sweating make them tough to stay in position all the time.

BlueAnt Bluetooth headsets were one of my favorites back when I wore wireless headsets regularly, but I haven't tried out their gear for a couple years. I started looking for a Bluetooth headset to wear while running that would actually stay put and my shortlist included the BlueAnt Pump. Coincidentally, Andrew at Max Borges Agency reached out to see if I wanted to evaluate the BlueAnt Pump two days after I put them on my short list so I jumped at the chance to give them a try.

Published: August 19, 2014 -- 19:25 GMT (12:25 PDT)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Opening up the package to reveal the headset

After running with the BlueAnt Pump headset for a few weeks now, I can say without a doubt that they are the ones I will purchase for my own use since they never once slipped out. I ran when it was hot and sunny as well as when it was rainy from three miles to nine miles at a time. I also mowed the lawn with the Pump mounted on my head and found them to be fantastic.

I was worried that the BlueAnt Pump headset would be heavy and put pressure on my ears because they appear to have two rather large pieces that fit over and around the back of your ears. It turns out that they are actually very lightweight and the flat cable connecting the earpieces behind your head fit perfectly. BlueAnt includes a cable zip you can use if you have a smaller head and need to shorten up the connection cable.

Published: August 19, 2014 -- 19:25 GMT (12:25 PDT)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Lots of tip options to fit every ear

Each earpiece has an arm that goes over the top of your ear with an earbud extension that fits into your ear. BlueAnt includes an assortment of earbud tips, two pairs of three sizes with one pair of awareness tips, so that you will definitely find one that fits your ears. You may even find that one ear has a different size than the other. The awareness tips are designed to allow more noise around the tip so you can hear more of your surrounding environment while working out with the BlueAnt Pump in place.

BlueAnt also includes two pairs of optional stabilizer pieces that can be fit onto the earbud to help hold the headset in place during rigorous activities such as boxing. I tried them a couple of times while running, but didn't like the added pressure the stabilizers put within the curves of my ear. The headset stayed in place without them for running.

Published: August 19, 2014 -- 19:25 GMT (12:25 PDT)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Inside and outside view of the BlueAnt Pump

The BlueAnt Pump headset is waterproof, but it's not designed for swimming. Bluetooth doesn't work underwater and there is no wired connection option. I run in the rain a lot and am a heavy sweater so waterproof is essential for my needs. The headset is sealed with Kevlar and Teflon.

The right earpiece has a volume up, volume down, and play/pause button on the outside that are easy to access while mounted on your head. A small indicator light is found just forward of the play button. There is a microUSB port on the bottom of the left earpiece that is covered with a door to keep it waterproof while in use.

Play time is advertised at up to eight hours. I was able to go on my weekly runs (two to four times during training) without charging for a week so the battery life seems accurate.

Published: August 19, 2014 -- 19:25 GMT (12:25 PDT)

Caption by: Matthew Miller

Getting ready to run with the BlueAnt Pump HD Sportbuds

The headset supports Bluetooth 3.0 with AptX and AAC codecs and A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and HSP Bluetooth profiles. You can even use the headset to make and receive phone calls with the microphone built into the right earpiece. Music sounds great while working out with good clear quality sound.

I connected the Pump headset to my MOTOACTV, Samsung Galaxy S5, Moto X, and HTC One M8 and the connection never stuttered or dropped the entire time.

The BlueAnt Pump headset is available for a MSRP of $129.95, but you can find them on Amazon between $100 and $107. They are available in black with blue highlights, blue, and clear with green highlights (Green Ice). I tested out the blue ones, but am thinking I may go with the green ones since I like the looks of the clear casing that shows you the internal components.

If you like to listen to music when you work out and have a Bluetooth phone or music player to connect with then I highly recommend you consider BlueAnt Pump headphones. They stay in place, sound great, look cool, and last for the entire workout.

I enjoy running with music, but I do not enjoy messing around with earbuds on my run. BlueAnt's newest wireless headphones meet my requirements while looking and feeling great.

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Inside and outside view of the BlueAnt Pump

The BlueAnt Pump headset is waterproof, but it's not designed for swimming. Bluetooth doesn't work underwater and there is no wired connection option. I run in the rain a lot and am a heavy sweater so waterproof is essential for my needs. The headset is sealed with Kevlar and Teflon.

The right earpiece has a volume up, volume down, and play/pause button on the outside that are easy to access while mounted on your head. A small indicator light is found just forward of the play button. There is a microUSB port on the bottom of the left earpiece that is covered with a door to keep it waterproof while in use.

Play time is advertised at up to eight hours. I was able to go on my weekly runs (two to four times during training) without charging for a week so the battery life seems accurate.